# MV Suilven

> Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/MV_Suilven
> Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/MV_Suilven.md
> Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MV_Suilven
> Source revision: 1351822689
> License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)

Ferry built in 1974

MV Suilven off Ullapool History Name MV Suilven Namesake Suilven Operator 1974: Caledonian MacBrayne 1995: Strait Shipping, New Zealand 2004: Bligh Water Shipping, Fiji 2015: Venu Shipping, Fiji[1] Port of registry 1974: : Glasgow, United Kingdom 1995: : Wellington, New Zealand 2004: : Suva, Fiji Route Stornoway to Ullapool 1974–1995 Wellington to Picton 1995–2002 Wellington to Nelson 2002–2004 Around Fiji 2004–2015 Builder Moss Rosenberg of Norway Engine Builders:Wichmann, Norway Yard number 180 Launched 19 April 1974[2] Acquired 1974 In service 27 August 1974 Out of service July 1995 (with Caledonian MacBrayne) 2004 (with Strait Shipping) 2015 (with Bligh Water Shipping) November 2015 (with Venu Shipping Limited) Identification IMO number: 7383487[3] MMSI Number: 512000060 (NZ); 520090000 (Fiji)[4] Callsign: GULA; 3DYS (Fiji) Fate Sunk in Suva harbour, 24 November 2015 General characteristics Tonnage 1980 Length 86.52 m (283 ft 10+1⁄2 in) Beam 16.03 m (52 ft 7 in) Draught 4.96 m (16 ft 3+1⁄2 in) Installed power 2 × 7-cyl, Wichmann Diesel 1300 kW [2] Propulsion 2 × variable-pitch propellers & 2 × Brunvoll SPK300 bow thrusters Speed 16 kn (30 km/h) (service) Capacity 500 passengers, 120 cars Crew 25

**MV *Suilven*** was a vehicle ferry built in 1974 and operated for 21 years by [Caledonian MacBrayne](/source/Caledonian_MacBrayne) on the [Ullapool](/source/Ullapool) to [Stornoway](/source/Stornoway) route. She subsequently operated in New Zealand and later in Fiji.

## History

The vessel was originally ordered by Norwegian shipping company [Alpha](/source/Alpha_(shipping_company)) as the twin of *Bastø V*. Alpha operated the [Moss–Horten](/source/Moss%E2%80%93Horten_Ferry) crossing of the [Oslofjord](/source/Oslofjord). *Bastø V* had been ordered as a much larger vessel than the current fleet, and was intended to be a workhorse on Alpha's own line for the summer peaks, and leased out for the winter. Alpha's board decided in 1972 to order a twin for delivery from Moss Rosenborg Verft in 1974. This ship was not intended to run on the Moss–Horten route, but was instead intended to be sold for a profit. In the mean time the [oil crisis](/source/1973_oil_crisis) hit, and Alpha struggled to find a buyer.[5]

CalMac was struggling with the popularity of the shortened route to the [Outer Hebrides](/source/Outer_Hebrides), between Stornoway and Ullapool, which was being served by 1964 [MV *Clansman*](/source/MV_Clansman_(1964)). A deal was stuck with Alpha. By then, *Bastø V* was already in service, while *Sullivan* was still on the stocks. This allowed CalMac to inspect the completed ferry. They found that she would not meet British standards requirements, particularly since the design called for a car deck under the main car deck, which would be below the fire line. But since building had hardly begun, it was possible to order her with the necessary modifications.[2]

*Suilven* was named after the mountain peak [Suilven](/source/Suilven) in Sutherland . She was bought off the stocks in 1974 and modified to comply with British standards for the Lewis service.[2] She remained on the route until 1995, when she was replaced by the larger [MV *Isle of Lewis*](/source/MV_Isle_of_Lewis).[6]

## Design

The car deck featured two lanes either side of the central casing and featured two hoistable mezzanine decks for additional car capacity. Car deck access was via a two-piece bow ramp and visor, with a single piece stern ramp. The superstructure featured a foremast above the wheel house carrying the radar scanners and aerials, and a main mast aft incorporated into the forward edge of the funnel, cleverly concealing the main engine exhausts. Her original single lounge bar saloon was soon divided with a screen to cordon off different areas. The cafeteria and servery was situated aft of the saloon and in common with vessels of the time, she was fitted out with a number of sleeping berths allowing passengers to embark the night before an early departure.

Early in her Caledonian MacBrayne career, she was fitted with stabilisers, improving stability. *Suilven* was the first vessel in the Caledonian MacBrayne fleet to carry the fleet branding on the hull side in large steel letters, welded to the hull side. Air conditioning was fitted for her service in Fiji.[2]

## Service

*Suilven* was purchased for the [Stornoway](/source/Stornoway) to [Ullapool](/source/Ullapool) route, a replacement for the 1964 [MV *Clansman*](/source/MV_Clansman_(1964)). She operated the route for 21 years, giving two crossings per day in summer reducing, until 1979, to one in winter.[2] In October 1989, [MV *Isle of Mull*](/source/MV_Isle_of_Mull)'s larger passenger capacity was required for those travelling to the [Mòd](/source/M%C3%B2d) in Stornoway. For those 10 days, *Suilven* took over the Oban-Craignure service.[2]

By the 1990s, she was increasingly inadequate for the traffic on the service and unacceptably slow and the larger MV *Isle of Lewis* was built, offering superior capacity and facilities, entering service in July 1995.

No longer required in Scotland, she was sold to [Strait Shipping](/source/StraitNZ), for service between the North Island and South Island of New Zealand.[2] In 2004, she was moved to Fiji and operated between [Suva](/source/Suva), [Savusavu](/source/Savusavu) (on Vanua Levu) and [Taveuni](/source/Taveuni).[7][8]

In August 2012, *Suilven* was advertised for sale and expected to be sold as scrap for demolition; however, in late 2012, it was reported that Ben Naidu, owner of Venu Shipping, had acquired the ship for refitting and further service in Fiji, for an undisclosed sum. It was believed that, for the first time in her history, the ship would be renamed.[9][10]

On 24 November 2015 *Suilven* capsized in Suva harbour. There were no passengers aboard as the ship was only carrying cargo at the time of the incident, the crew were rescued, no one injured.[11]

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Venu_1-0)** ["Ferry Starts Sailing From Natovi Today"](http://fijisun.com.fj/2015/03/18/ferry-starts-sailing-from-natovi-today/). Retrieved 25 September 2011.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-ships_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-ships_2-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-ships_2-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-ships_2-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-ships_2-4) [***f***](#cite_ref-ships_2-5) [***g***](#cite_ref-ships_2-6) [***h***](#cite_ref-ships_2-7) ["*Suilven*"](http://www.shipsofcalmac.co.uk/ships-1/suilven). Ships of Calmac. Retrieved 18 January 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["Vessel Search - Suilven"](http://www.digital-seas.com/vessel_search/vessel_details/on/3dys_suilven_q25806.html?tx_fleetmonportal_pi1%5Bposition%5D=2). Digital Seas. Retrieved 25 September 2011.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** ["Suilven - IMO 7383487"](http://www.shipspotting.com/gallery/photo.php?lid=203261). Shipspotting. Retrieved 25 January 2011.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** Ryggvik, Helge; Søilen, Espen (1992). [*Bastøfergen: Fra damplekter til brikke i pengespillet*](https://www.nb.no/items/1a9d3f20f8817b0fcdf762486d1b0e28) (in Norwegian). Sandefjord: Gokstad. p. 41.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** ["Caledonian MacBrayne - Former Vessels (and Other Steamers)"](https://web.archive.org/web/20110526053802/http://www.computing.dundee.ac.uk/staff/irmurray/ferries4.asp). Iain Murray. Archived from [the original](http://www.computing.dundee.ac.uk/staff/irmurray/ferries4.asp) on 26 May 2011. Retrieved 25 January 2011.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** ["Bligh Water Shipping"](https://web.archive.org/web/20110209123514/http://www.blighwatershipping.com.fj/). Archived from [the original](http://www.blighwatershipping.com.fj/) on 9 February 2011. Retrieved 25 January 2011.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** Crossing the Cook Strait *[Ships Monthly](/source/Ships_Monthly)* July 2022 page 66

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** ["Fiji Sun"](http://www.fijisun.com.fj/2012/10/11/new-ship-owner-tells-of-plans-for-mv-suilven/). Retrieved 11 March 2013.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** ["Hebrides News"](http://www.hebrides-news.com/suilven_spared_241012.html). Retrieved 11 March 2013.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** ["Ferry capsizes off Fijian capital Suva"](http://www.stuff.co.nz/world/south-pacific/74374027/ferry-capsizes-off-fijian-capital-suva). Retrieved 24 November 2015.

## External links

Media related to [Suilven (ship, 1974)](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Suilven_(ship,_1974)) at Wikimedia Commons

- ["Images of Suilven"](http://www.simplonpc.co.uk/Calmac_Suilven.html#anchor74048). Simplon Postcards. Retrieved 25 January 2011.

v t e Shipwrecks and maritime incidents in 2015 Shipwrecks 2 Jan: Bulk Jupiter 2 Jan: Cemfjord 22 Feb: ML Mostofa-3 1 Apr: Dalniy Vostok since Apr: Mediterranean Sea migrant shipwrecks 1 Jun: Dong Fang Zhi Xing 24 Jun: Farley Mowat 30 Jun: ROCS Chung Cheng 2 Jul: Kim Nirvana-B 9 Sep: Dolgorae 1 Oct: El Faro 24 Nov Suilven 16 Dec Thorco Cloud 19 Dec Marina Baru 2B Other incidents 2 Jan: Ezadeen 3 Jan: Höegh Osaka 30 Mar: Liana's Ransom 31 Mar: Asterix 7 Apr: Orel 28 Apr: Sorrento 28 Apr: Maersk Tigris 14 May: Alpine Eternity 11 June: Orkim Harmony (hijacking) 12 Jun Lisa von Lübeck 18 November: Le Boreal 3 December: Emsmoon 4 December: Gunashli fire 22 December: Star Pride 27 December: Carnival Ecstasy 2014 2016

v t e Ships of Caledonian MacBrayne Current fleet Ali Cat Argyle Argyll Flyer Bute Caledonian Isles Carvoria Catriona Chieftain Clansman Coruisk Finlaggan Glen Sannox Hallaig Hebrides Isle of Arran Isle of Cumbrae Isle of Islay Isle of Lewis Isle of Mull Loch Alainn Loch Bhrusda Loch Buie Loch Dunvegan Loch Frisa Loch Fyne Loch Linnhe Loch Portain Loch Ranza Loch Riddon Loch Seaforth Loch Shira Loch Striven Loch Tarbert Lochinvar Lochnevis Lord of the Isles Former fleet Scrapped Juno (1974) Jupiter (1973) Hebridean Isles Sold into service Arran Broadford Bruernish Bute (1954) Caledonia Canna Clansman (1964) Claymore Coll Columba Coruisk (1969) Cowal Eigg Glen Sannox (1957) Hebrides (1963) Iona Keppel Kilbrannan Kyleakin Laig Bay Largs Lochalsh Lochmor Maid of Argyll Maid of Ashton Maid of Cumbrae Maid of Skelmorlie Morvern Pioneer (1974) Portree Raasay Rhum Saturn Scalpay Suilven Under construction Claymore Glen Rosa Loch Awe Loch Etive Loch Indaal Lochmor

---
Adapted from the Wikipedia article [MV Suilven](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MV_Suilven) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MV_Suilven?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.